Slitrks as emerging candidate genes involved in neuropsychiatric disorders

CC Proenca, KP Gao, SV Shmelkov, S Rafii… - Trends in …, 2011 - cell.com
CC Proenca, KP Gao, SV Shmelkov, S Rafii, FS Lee
Trends in neurosciences, 2011cell.com
Slitrks are a family of structurally related transmembrane proteins belonging to the leucine-
rich repeat (LRR) superfamily. Six family members exist (Slitrk1–6) and all are highly
expressed in the central nervous system (CNS). Slitrks have been implicated in mediating
basic neuronal processes, ranging from neurite outgrowth and dendritic elaboration to
neuronal survival. Recent studies in humans and genetic mouse models have led to the
identification of Slitrks as candidate genes that might be involved in the development of …
Slitrks are a family of structurally related transmembrane proteins belonging to the leucine-rich repeat (LRR) superfamily. Six family members exist (Slitrk1–6) and all are highly expressed in the central nervous system (CNS). Slitrks have been implicated in mediating basic neuronal processes, ranging from neurite outgrowth and dendritic elaboration to neuronal survival. Recent studies in humans and genetic mouse models have led to the identification of Slitrks as candidate genes that might be involved in the development of neuropsychiatric conditions, such as obsessive compulsive spectrum disorders and schizophrenia. Although these system-level approaches have suggested that Slitrks play prominent roles in CNS development, key questions remain regarding the molecular mechanisms through which they mediate neuronal signaling and connectivity.
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